The School Nurseries Capital Fund, announced in the Conservative party’s manifesto last year, aims to create new high-quality school-based nursery places for children aged from two- to four-years-old in order to boost social mobility.
Local authorities, schools, multi-academy trusts and interested organisations have until 22 November to submit bids. The guidance states that strong partnership working to develop bids is expected with successful applicants being announced in March next year.
But providers in the rest of the sector say they have been overlooked and argue that they also have a vital role in providing childcare and early years education.
Early Education is awaiting clarification of the new funding from the Department for Education with chief executive Beatrice Merrick expressing surprise and disappointment that maintained nursery schools are excluded from bidding ‘given their exceptional track record at closing the gap for children in the most disadvantaged areas’. She added that this would seem to make them the ideal candidates to meet the aims of the fund.
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